Arthur could hear the muttering all around him as he made his way through the crowd. The knights were busy gathering up Morgana's followers under Leon's orders while the peasants watched on as their king made his way over to his brother.

"Step back!" he ordered when the people started to surround the body of the baset and prince.

"Stand back," he repeated, "Nobody hurt them."

Some people seemed uneasy as they looked at the prince who was clearly breathing much to Arthur's relief. His relief was dampened however when he saw Freya was not.

"Can we help?" A woman asked, "We should get him to bed, or at least somewhere more comfortable."

Arthur smiled, he knew the people would understand.

It took a while but soon repairs were underway, there was little structural damage to the city but the people themselves were damaged. Gaius, Gwaine and Elyan were found mostly healthy. Gaius was suffering from exhaustion and a light fever but once he'd rested and eaten a good meal he was on his feet with Gwen helping those who were wounded.

Isolde had passed during the battle, a few moments before Freya's own death, Tristan was currently locked up in the room Arthur had given him. The man was inconsolable. Arthur didn't blame him, if anything had happened to Gwen...he didn't want to think about it.

Merlin was placed back in his chambers with his servant Will tending to him. The man was exhausted but otherwise fine so Arthur was fine to let him sleep it off. As expected many people now felt nervous about the princes powers but Arthur made sure to explain everything.

It felt wonderful, having the huge crowd listen to the adventures they two brothers had shared, the true versions this time when Merlin got the credit he deserved. Soon it was the latest gossip.

"Did you hear about how Merlin tamed a dragon?"

"My favourite was when Arthur fought Nimueh!"

"No, the best one was when they saved the last dragon egg!"

Magic was officially legal again, even Gaius was starting to use healing spells with his work by the next day. The druids were happy to help him as always, Camelot was nearly fully recovered by the next day. Which is when Merlin woke.

Nobody alerted the king when his brother regained consciousness, so he was very surprised to enter the throne room and see Merlin chatting with Gwen. He looked sad, obviously he was discovering Isolde's death.

"Merlin!" Arthur smiled, giving the man a quick hug which was swiftly returned.

"Magic is free." Merlin beamed, Arthur had never seen him so happy.

"Yes." Arthur breathed happily before turning sad, "I'm sorry about Freya."

"So am I." Merlin sighed, "And Isolde, but at least Gwen only got away with a cut. It only needed two stitches!"

"What?" Arthur turned to her quickly and placing a palm on her face.

"You never told me you were injured!"

"It wasn't important." She smiled, it was barely a scratch."

"Everything about you is important." Arthur breathed, forgetting his brother was standing to the side smirking.

"Everything."

…

Merlin was over the moon, magic was legal, the people accepted him and to top it all off, he was standing next to his brother as Gwen walked down the aisle. In a few short moments she would be queen and married to his brother. Married! Finally! The prince couldn't be happier for them. They were near the end of the ceremony

"Do you Guinevere, take Arthur as your husband?"

"I do."

"And do you agree to rule over this land with him as queen?"

"I do."

"Then by the power vested in me, by him." Merlin shoved a thumb toward Arthur who smirked.

"I pronounce you man and wife, now get to the kissing!"

...

Life was perfect, utterly perfect, magic was free, he was married to Guinevere and Camelot was at peace. So why did the king feel as though there was a heavy stone in his chest? It had been growing for the last few days until finally he had to excuse himself from a council meeting in order to just breathe.

Merlin came after him, of course he did and bought him back. They finished the meeting just as the sun was setting and both royals left. They shared a serious look which all around them had learnt a long time ago. That look meant that under no circumstances, were the princes supposed to be disturbed.

They made their way to Arthur's room ad lit the candles bathing the room in a warm glow. Sighing Arthur sat on the edge of his bed, Gwen had gone to help Gaius for the day, she wouldn't be back for a while.

"Do you feel it too?" Arthur asked finally as Merlin sat next to him, the warlock nodded.

"It's because it's finally over, we've been fighting for this for so long Arthur." Merlin whispered.

"We lost so much getting here too." Arthur replied blinking back tears as the faces filtered through his mind. He dropped his head and squeezed his eyes shut to try and keep the moister in but it made it's way through the closed lids. He felt Merlin leaning his forehead against his temple as well, he was shaking slightly. That made Arthur feel slightly better, at least he knew now he wasn't alone in his tears.

It wasn't the loud sort of crying with sobs and gasping breaths, rather the tears just fell on their own, no shuddering shoulders or wailing. It was the sort of crying that happened when you accept loss, which is what they were doing.

They cried for the loss of Morgana, a girl who was once so kind, their sister whom they had lost due to her own bitterness.

They cried for Uther and all the pain he'd suffered through in his life and how that pain had turned him against so much.

They cried for Freya, the innocent girl who had died trying to do what's right.

For Isolde and the pain of loss which Tristan was feeling.

For Merlin's true parent's whom he'd never known.

For those who lost their lives in the purge and those who were forced to hide as Merlin had.

For all the suffering they had seen, all the pain and hate.

And mostly for one another, they were all that was left now really. They had their friends, they had Gwen, Gaius and the knights but really all that was left of the Pendragon's, was them.

After a while they moved away, Merlin opened the curtains and looked out at the sky. Five years ago he'd been a peasant, he'd been living in fear of his magic, he'd thought himself a monster. Now he was a prince.

Five years ago Arthur was arrogant, reckless and secretly alone in the world. Now he was king.

So much had changed.

And so much more would change but the important thing was that they were together.

And they would face what was yet to come, together.

And that's the end! Two years and two stories later the Father's Guilt Series has finally come to an end. Thank you to all who reviewed and spurred me on when I was out of inspiration! I hope you shall enjoy reading it again some time!

The last scene was inspired by this 'Comfort' by Pokeshipper on DeviantArt.

Ulura, out!